Considering a move back to the UK
 

Hey,

I'm totally new to this forum so firstly hello, not sure whether to post this here or somewhere else, there is so much stuff.

I am British, married to a kiwi, my kiwi son was born 10 months ago.

We moved to Wellington 3 years ago and have a lovely house, pre baby we both had good jobs and all is good.............however having just done a return trip so show the baby off, realised now that I would love to be closer again to my family whilst I have a young child, we don't live close to my husbands family so don't see them very much, they just aren't that close, but I am very close to my family.

Just really after anyones thoughts who has lived in NZ and moved back or are thinking about it, what made you move back in the end and any regrets?

Or if I have posted this in the wrong section, help!!

Re: Considering a move back to the UK
 

Hi there, I haven't lived in NZ but just wanted to welcome you to the forum. There are a few people who have been in a similar situation to yourself so hopefully someone will come along who can help you. :)

Re: Considering a move back to the UK
 

Where would you be moving back too? How much did you see your family before you left? I have heard of people who came back to be near family and then didn't see them!! Not saying this would be you, but I can see it is a hard decision if you are happy with your current lifestyle.

Re: Considering a move back to the UK
 

Hi and welcome!How does your husband feel about a move back to the UK?I'm the other way around to you,I'm british but most of my family live in Oz and I live in the UK!!It does affect me sometimes!I have missed so many weddings,births (thankfully not yet no funerals)birthdays/xmas's ect and it can be quite unsettling I feel.I'm not that close to my family but we always did see eachother at important gatherings when I lived in Oz.I think its quite natural to want to be close to your family especially as you now have a baby.If your feelings about moving are quite recent then I would maybe sit tight for now,and see how you both feel in a while?It might just be a phase you're going through,but only you would know that!Best of luck and best wishes for future happiness!;)

Re: Considering a move back to the UK
 

Hi fianao
I am in Wellington at the moment and love it here but I am a 'true expat' in the sense that I am not here forever, just posted here for my OH's job - my kids are under 10 but not as young as yours. Your feelings are entirely understandable - why would you want to deprive kids of access to their grandparents - in my case - the grandparents are elderly and will not be around forever and luckily I was in the UK when they were babies.
It probably feels worse for you, since your OH's family is not providing a support network either...something we all feel the need of when kids arrive to shatter our freedom for several years.

I do know another expat, a medical doctor now happily back in the UK who worked in Wellington but did not return after going to UK to show new baby to relatives...so others have done it but her OH was also British not a Kiwi. I think a lot does depend on whether your OH is as keen and could you easily replicate the pros of your NZ lifestyle in the UK?

Good luck - if it helps, I did totally fall back in love (Not that I ever fell out) with UK on a 3 week trip back home in July....and it was seeing all the 'old old friends' and relatives which made it as well as the fact that the 'old place' was looking pretty darn good despite the recession...who needs Woolies anyway?

Re: Considering a move back to the UK
 

Thanks!!

I would be moving to Sheffield where my mum lives, I haven't lived there fore years and assumed i would not want to go back to my home town, but its changed a lot and now we both really like it.

I'm lucky my OH is easy going and loves the UK, he would move if its what I really wanted and he would be quite happy there I think.

His family would be annoyed/gutted but like I said we hardly see them, which is beginning to upset me as we live near them and not my family.

Still it is a recent thought, so I will sit on it for a little while.

I really appreciate all the comments.

Re: Considering a move back to the UK
 

Not sure I'd like the weather in Sheffield compared to Wellington :rofl: but no earthquakes at least.

Re: Considering a move back to the UK
 

Again, not from NZ here, but from Canada and recently moved back to the UK. Absolutely and completely no regrets about moving back. It's brilliant!!

Re: Considering a move back to the UK
 

Especially if you think of the temperature hereabouts. (Ottawa.) 31 degrees, but it rained this morning, so it's 40 with the humidex!:eek:

I'm staying in the air conditioning.

Bev

Re: Considering a move back to the UK
 

Yeah it got like that in Montreal plus 40 humidex in the summer minus 30 windchill in the winter. Goodbye Canada he he

Re: Considering a move back to the UK
 

Hi ya,

We are also considering a move back to the UK. Hubby and I are British born. Been living in Oz for just over 2 years and have just had our 3 baby. I am really starting to find it hard to live with the though of not seeing my family for such long periods and them being around to know the kids etc.

Hopefully we can make a decision that will feel more right than wrong if you know what I mean!

Poppet

Re: Considering a move back to the UK
 

Yep totally get what you mean poppet.

We are pretty sure we will move back, but its working out timings and everything, when to go, the fact that neither of us will have jobs for a while, its all a bit daunting.

Today was an odd day, very sunny, totally beautiful day, went for a walk by the sea with friends and had coffee and still want to move away, think moving for us really is the right option, but it does scare me.

Re: Considering a move back to the UK
 

Hello,

I am looking for some advice...............please
I am living in Spain at the moment (3 yrs), but I want to return to the UK
I have Parkinson’s disease; this has been diagnosed since I have live here.

My questions
How do I get a doctor back in the UK.?
Do I have to register as a UK resident, and if so how?

I do hope you can help, or send me in the right direction to get the information
Thanks

Jaylew

Re: Considering a move back to the UK
 

Interesting, I had a very similar experience today - gorgeous spring-like sunny day here in the South Island too, and it suddenly struck me as odd that on such a fine day my thoughts were straying totally of their own accord to things like cost of plane tickets away from here.

You're not alone there on either count, believe me. It's a big deal moving to or from New Zealand, a far bigger deal because of distance and cost than to or from most any other part of the world, plus of course there's this worldwide recession happening which has taken away so much certainty and security for so many of us. Hard not to feel trepidation at making what can seem such an enormously consequential decision. Plus it's scary anyway sometimes to leave what's become familiar to you for the unknown, even if you're not that happy with the familiar. I'm feeling kind of scared myself about leaving, and I don't even like it here. I know leaving is the right thing for us to do, but the longer I'm here the more difficult it becomes to leave.

I do understand how you're feeling about your child and wanting to be closer to your family - my kids, by having been brought to NZ by me, missed the experience of time and love and lessons for life (and maybe even a better understanding or appreciation of ME!) enjoyed with and learned from grandparents far wiser than me who absolutely adored them, and now it's too late. I missed all that with my own grandparents, who all died while I was still young, and even to this day I think about them with a sad sense of loss at having been denied the chance to have known and connected with them.

Re: Considering a move back to the UK
 

If you were born and raised in England, I think you just go back, get yourself a place to live and sign up with a local doctor.

But they will want evidence that you're back to stay. I assume that's your intent?

Bev